SA Covid-19 tally rises to 2173 as 26 at East-London prison test positive
The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa has increased to 2173.
In an update on the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak, minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize says this is an increase of 145 from the previously reported cases.
"The total number of tests conducted to date is 80 085. We are also seeing an increase in tests conducted at public laboratories," said Mkhize.
"Of the 5 032 tests conducted in the past day, 3 192 were done in public laboratories."
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Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice, Ronald Lamola says 26 people have tested positive for Covid-19 at a correctional services facility in East London, 23 of them prison officials and three inmates.
"We are working with the provincial department of health and the NICD to complete the testing of all the other officials in the centre, including some of the inmates who might have exhibited symptoms of Covid-19," said Lomola.
The minister said the relevant officials have been placed in self-isolation and the relevant prisoners have been placed in single cells in order to be quarantined.
"These measures we are convinced will enable us to rever for this situation, said Lomla, noting that the inmates and officials would all reive the necessary medical care.